Daddy-Daughter 'Partners-in-Crime' Return Home to Marco Island, Florida

(PRLeap.com) What does a 63-year-old real estate developer/builder and his 18-year-old daughter who recently graduated from the Marco Island Academy do for fun? They become the first daddy-daughter team to complete the legendary cross-country Cannonball Run.

On Saturday June 14, 2025, at precisely 3:00 AM, under the cover of relative darkness, Jeff Popick and his daughter, Alexis, left the famed Red Ball Garage in New York City on a mission to reach the Portofino Inn in Redondo Beach, California, in less than 35 hours and 53 minutes; the then-record set in 1975 by the team of Brock Yates (former editor of Car & Driver magazine) and Dan Gurney (professional race car driver and winner of four Formula One Grands Prix).

Setting out in a specially equipped 2025 Cadillac CT5-V with radar detection and laser "jammers," a Garmin Drivecam, night vision binoculars, and assorted snacks and energy drinks, the duo hit the road at the precise moment the clock struck 3:00:00 AM. Within minutes they were navigating through the Lincoln Tunnel and on through New Jersey, where their cross-country adventure took them through 12 states. Their overall average speed? Over 80 MPH. Their top speed? 124 MPH. And the 2,830 mile journey took eight gas stops, culminating in the arrival at California's Portofino Inn at 11:02:29 AM PST. This daddy-daughter team's finish time of 35 hours, 2 minutes, and 29 seconds smashed the 1975 record by more than 50 minutes.

Before becoming a developer, Jeff worked as a professional stunt driver, and served as president of the Hollywood Stuntmen's Association. He has a lifelong passion, and exceptional skills for high-performance driving. Alexis, who's already trained in stunt driving, race car maneuvers, and other tactical driving disciplines, shares her dad's need for adrenaline, adventure, and a fearless DNA.

Despite encountering substantial rain, several slow-traffic conditions, and the occasional hand gesture from fellow drivers, the duo had a fascinating mission far beyond the fun. Together, they want to challenge the narrative that slow driving is safe driving. Their mission is to demonstrate It's not about speed-it's about skill and focus. They aren't the only ones with this mindset. Recently, during the promotion of his latest Mission Impossible movie, Tom Cruise asserted, "Don't be careful, be competent." It's a sentiment the Popicks wholeheartedly embrace. Through their unforgettable Cannonball Run, they've made their case loud and clear: safe driving isn't slow, it's skillset, competence, and all about focus.

To see more about the run, track completion times, or follow Alexis' adventures, visit:

TikTok: @AlexisPopick

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